GUIDED ALASKA Custom

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VIEW AVAILABLE TRIPS A custom trip begins with a dream. Yours. Perhaps it is your desire to camp amongst the great herds of caribou in the Arctic. To climb high into the Arrigetch Peaks, to photograph bears in Katmai National Park…the options in Alaska are exquisite and limitless. For the wilderness traveler there is no better destination. We take designing your custom wilderness trip seriously. With decades of experience, exhaustive knowledge of the landscape and wildlife, and an extensive network of pilots, boat captains, luxury lodges, and guides, each itinerary is tailored exactly to your specific dreams. The process starts with your desires, the size of your group or family, your expectations, your budget and your abilities. Our role is to advise, inspire, listen, and finally to transform your dreams into reality. We can share with you what is possible and help you craft the ultimate Alaska adventure. All of our trips are "off the beaten path", true wilderness expeditions. A custom trip can be one of our scheduled trips on dates of your choosing and exclusive to your group, or an entirely new and unique itinerary just for you. We work with groups from 1 person to 10 people but 4 to 6 is often the best. Browse through the list of custom trips we have done in the past or give us a call and tell us about your big Alaska dreams. We can help make them happen. From a family friendly base camp to true exploration in the farthest reaches of Alaska. Wildlife trips: Our experienced guides can help you find wildlife whether it be caribou, polar bears, blue-throats, grey-headed chickadees, or musk oxen. Photography trips: Wildlife photography, landscape photography, film or art. We have worked with professional and amateur photographers from around the world. Let us help you get the shot. Film or Science Support: In addition to "fun trips" we also provided guide services and logistical support for field projects big and small. Skills training: Need to improve your wilderness skills? We can provide field courses, skill specific classes in Fairbanks or a combination of the two. Rafting or canoeing workshops, navigation seminars, wilderness safety.... the list goes on. We have the experience to teach you. Family and youth trips: We love seeing young people enjoying the wilderness. Though we haven't had any clients under the age of 7, we take our own toddlers to the Brooks Range regularly. We can plan a trip that will be safe and fun for people of any age.

Baird Mountain Backpack

In the far western Brooks Range near the Chukchi Coast is a colorful and remote wilderness deep in the Baird Mountains. Aqua colored creeks carve limestone canyons through the rocky ridges. The country is stunning. Flowers carpet the green tundra and bring spots of purple and blue to the talus slopes. Golden Eagles soar in the brilliant sky searching the mountains for prey. Wolves wander the ridge tops hoping to find caribou migrating north.  This trip puts you right in the middle of it all.

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DATES

TBD
region

REGION

Western Brooks Range
price

TRIP COST

TBD

TRIP DETAILS

Here in the Noatak National Preserve there is ample solitude and room to roam. The only trails in the area are those made by passing caribou. There are no campgrounds, no other hikers, and probably not even any footprints on our route through the mountains. We trade the noise of civilization for 24 hour daylight, long vistas, quiet canyons, and the possibility of wildlife around every corner.

The Baird Mountains lie between the Noatak and Kobuk rivers and are nearly unexplored by backpackers. Join us on this new route and discover the beauty of an Alaska Backpacking trip this summer.

We’ll travel just over 30 miles in eight days. The route is an easy one in terms of elevation gain and the terrain covered, but there will be some long days and we’ll need to cross creeks and potentially even snow from time to time. Starting high on a mesa -like ridge near the crest of the range our route winds westward crossing several small passes and ultimately ending in the headwaters of the Agashashok (“Agi”) River. The walking is pretty good, though the rocks are loose underfoot in places.There are limestone canyons to negotiate, and rivers to ford. In return for the hard work of Alaska backpacking, we enjoy rugged colorful peaks, soft green valleys, and (if lucky) abundant wildlife.

Hiking in the arctic is an “off-trail” experience, so a six-mile day can take as long and be as taxing as ten miles in other parts of the world. Experience backpacking is recommended for this trip, but novices in good shape, who are willing to do some training, would enjoy the trip too. Each hiker will carry 15-20 pounds of food and community gear in addition to personal gear; due to the small group size and the trip’s duration, expect to start the trip with a pack weighing no less than 45 pounds.

ITINERARY

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

Day 0:

Meet your guide for a pre-trip meeting in Kotzebue.

Day 1:

Fly northeast from Kotzebue, across the Noatak River and into the rugged Baird Mountains. Our competent pilot lands us right on top of a ridge with commanding views in all directions. Once the pilot leaves, we’re on our own. We’ll hike several miles to the first of many lovely camps. You’ll have the evening to settle into your surroundings, hike up a ridge or just gape at the awe-inspiring scenery.

Day 2 - 7:

Heading west from the “Mesa” we decend and cross the first of many creeks along our route. The colorful rocks create colorful creeks and the solitude of these grand mountains is palpable. There will be 2 passes to negotiate on the route and 2 major creek crossings. Your guide will teach you how best to deal with both of these challenges and will help you find the best route through the wilderness.

Day 8:

Hike a short distance to meet our plane at a gravel airstrip on the banks of the Agashashok. Weather permitting we fly back to Kotzebue and change our socks.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation beyond Kotzebue, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter, safety & repair gear and professional guide service.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, backpack, tent, fishing gear, and fishing license. Gratuity for guide(s). An equipment list is provided upon registration. Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild.

WEATHER & BUGS

Weather this time of year is often clear and beautiful. Precipitation when it comes is generally light, and it’s fairly easy to keep comfortably dry. Because it’s the arctic, however, snow is always possible and you can expect temperatures to range from the 30s to the 70s. Because the trip is in early spring, mosquitoes should be nearly absent but a bottle of DEET is always prudent.

RECOMMENDED READING

Being Caribou Karsten Heuer; People of the Noatak Clair Fejes; Caribou and the Barren Lands George Calef; Ordinary Wolves Seth Kantner; Alaska Wilderness Robert Marshall; Last Light Breaking Nick Jans; Arctic Wild Lois Crisler. More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore.